Orrum man charged after allegedly firing shots at officers

RALEIGH – Gary Lynn Gatlin of Orrum was charged Tuesday for possession of a firearm by a felon after allegedly firing multiple shots toward law enforcement officers last Friday, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Robert J. Higdon Jr. announced Wednesday in federal court.

The case was brought using the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

According to the affidavit, Gatlin possessed a firearm as a convicted felon last Friday. He previously had been convicted of common law robbery in Robeson County.

On Friday, according to the document, two officers were conducting surveillance near Water Tower Road and Gatlin Drive in Orrum. Gatlin allegedly confronted the officers about being near his property. After leaving the scene briefly, Gatlin returned with a shotgun and fired a shot into the air. He also fired several shots in the direction of the officers with some shots striking the officers’ vehicle. The officers left the scene and Gatlin fled the area, the document said.

Gatlin was captured Tuesday.

The Take Back North Carolina Initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in designated communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, and Wake County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.